System for closing and sealing cartons



Aug. 18, 1942. G. B, FIRST ETAL 2,293,498-

I SYSTEM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS Filed Nov. 4, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942. s. B. FIRST ETAL SYSTEM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS Filed Nov. 4, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN ORS (5%Axiw z m M E- QM ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942. G. B. FIRST ET AL SYSTEM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTON S 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 4, 19:59

INVE ORS M G. sY/MW HI. *III.

ATTORNEY a- G. B. Fl RsT a-rm. 2,293,493

SYSTEM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN 0R8 BY 1 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 18, 1942 SYSTEM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CABTONS George B. First and Hans Grotewold, Philadelphia, Pa" alsignora to Stokes and Smith Company, Snmmerdale, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Ami November 4, 1939, Serial No. 302.806

12 cums. (or. 9H)

Our invention relates to systems for closing and sealing cartons or like receptacles.

In accordance with our invention, we prolong the time for at least sumcient preliminary setting of adhesive attaching to each other flaps of a carton by increasing the number of cartons per unit length of their travel, during the whole or any suitable portion of which pressure is applied for maintaining or increasing the adhesive attachment to each other of the carton fiapsf more particularly, to this end and preferably without interruption of their movement, we turn the cartons broadside to each other for their transport during application of aforesaid pressure.

Our invention further resides in the features of combination, construction and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of our invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l, in perspective, illustrates the closure and filling of cartons;

Fig. 2, in perspective and with parts broken away, illustrates mechanism for circulating and applying adhesive utilized to hold carton flaps in their carton-closing positions;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, on enlarged scale, of mechanism for printing upon flaps of the cartons;

Fig. 3A is a modification of the printing mechanism of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the printing mechanism of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, in front elevation and on enlarged scale, of printing rolls shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6, in perspective, shows the end of a carton or box whose outside flap has been printed upon by the mechanism of Figs. 3 to 5; v

Fig. 7, in perspective, illustrates an arrangement for turning the filled cartons and applying pressure to their closed ends;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modification of stop structure shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. 1, which exemplifies the operations performed upon cartons by a machine generally of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent #1,527,030 to Delamere et al., fiattened cartons are, in turn, removed from the stack S thereof, opened by mechanism preferably of the type disclosed in our copending application Serial #304,678, filed November 16, 1939, and delivered to an endless conveyor comprising a continuously moving belt 2 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7), which passes around the drums 3, 3A, and from which extend blocks i forming a series of pockets for reception of the cartons. As each opened carton moves through the position of carton 20,

Fig. 1, its bottom flaps CI and C2 are turned upwardly and inwardly and its bottom flaps C3, C4 are bent upwardly and outwardly so that, as the carton moves through the position of carton C, Fig. l, adhesive is applied by the roller AB to the under faces of the four bottom forming flaps.

During movement of the carton through the position of carton 30, its fiap C4, bentback, as aforesaid, for subsequent application of adhesive by roller AB, passes between the rolls i0, II which, as hereinafter more fully explained, print or otherwise suitably mark upon the eventual outer side of flap C4 the date, a serial number, lot number, or other desired information.

As each carton moves beyond the adhesiveapplying roll AB, the flap C3 is turned downwardly and then inwardly and upwardly into engagement with flaps Cl, C2, and finally the flap Cl, upon which there has been impressed aforesaid printing, is moved into overlying adhesive engagement with panel or flap C3. Consequently the fiap C4 is the outermost flap of the formed bottom and the printing or marking on the outer face thereof is visible.

Each of the cartons then, in turn, passes through a filling station F for filling by mechanism preferably of the type described and claimed in our copending application Serial #302,807, filed November 4, 1939. During passage of the cartons through the filling station, the open upper end of each carton temporarily receives a filling snout 4 depending from the rotating plate 5; at predetermined position of each carton, a gate 6 supported by plate 5 for movement between the associated filling snout 4 and a measuring flask l swings outwardly to allow the charge of filling material within the flask I to fall into the carton.

As each carton moves beyond the filling station, its top flaps C5, C6 are turned inwardly toward each other, and its top flaps C1, C8 are swung outwardly away from each other for application of adhesive to the then upper faces of all four flaps by the adhesive-applying roll AT as the carton is moved by conveyor 2 through the position of carton HC. Thereafter the flaps Cl and C8 are folded over'to form the closed top of the carton as it is advanced through the positions of the cartons I 26-1 40.

As each closed carton passes beyond the drum 3A, moving away therefrom tangentially, it engages a stop 12 which, as hereinafter described, coacts with pressure-applying belts to turn the carton through a right angle for movement of the filled cartons with their broad faces or sides parallel to each other for transport by and between pressure-applying belts 11, 00 (Fig. 7).

Referring to Fig. 2, the roll AB for applying adhesive to the bottom-forming flaps. of the cartons is supported by adjustable brackets I3 adjacent a doctor roll l4. Adhesive is supplied to the bight of rolls AB and It by the branch pipes I5,

charge side of pump i8 whose intake is connected by pipe iato the storage or heating tank iii! for the adhesive. The excess adhesive which passes between or beyond the ends of the rolls AB, l4 falls into the collecting trough or tray 2| connected by the return pipes 22 to the storage tank 20.

The pump i8 is driven. from the main drive shaft I of the conveyor 2 through the train including gears 23, 24, 25, sprocket 25,'chain 21 and sprocket 28 on the drive shaft 29 of the pump. Preferably the adhesive within the tank 28 is consupply line "A having an extension 38 for discharging adhesive between the roll AT and the doctor roll 31. The excess adhesive which falls from the ends of the rolls is collected by the cups or troughs 38 and retumed to the storage tank 20 a by the conduits 39.

- There is thus provided continuous flow of adhesive from'the storage tank to the adhesive-applying rolls'AB and AT with return of excess adhesive to the storage tank 20 which preferably is provided with electric heating coils, not shown, controlled by switch 40 conveniently located on the outside of the storage tank.

At the end of a run, or for protracted shutdown of the machine, valve I5, between pump l8 and the intakemember |9A within tank 20, is closed to stop circulation of th'e'bdhesivez For short interruptions, valve 42 and/or valve 43 may be closed, but valve is left open to provide for continued circulation of the adhesive, at least in part, through the auxiliary return conduit 4|. Preferably, the opening of intake member I9A is somewhat above the bottom of tank to avoid circulation with the adhesive of foreign matter, for example flakes of cardboard, which may fall into the adhesive when within tray 2| or 38.

The auxiliary return conduit 4| is connected to the supply line H or "A in advance of the valves 42, 43. Ordinarily, flow of adhesive through the auxiliary return pipe 4| is precluded by valve 44, preferably a pressure-responsive valve. When one or both of the valves 42, 43 is closed, the valve 54 is opened, preferably automatically, by increase of pressure'in the supply line H, to provide a path for return of adhesive to the heated storage tank.

The adhesive, applying roll AB is continuously driven from shaft 25A through gearing, not shown, at such speed the velocity of its periphery is substantially equal to the linear velocity of the cartons in the direction of their movement by conveyor 2,'

The motor 45 and the suction pump 46 driven thereby are for convenience'disposed within the housing 41 which supports the adhesive-applying mechanismand part of the driving mechanism of the adhesive-pump l8; the pump 46 supplies suction to the carton-opening mechanism fully disclosed in our aforesaid copending application Serial #304,678. I

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the platen roll "I of the printing mechanism is attached to shaft 48 by the bracket 5| which is adjustable toward and 75 2,293,498 of the supply line 81 connected to the disirom the conveyor 2 and is held in adjusted position to the housing 5! in any suitable manner, as by thebolts 52. For all' positions of the bracket 5|, driving connection between shaft 48 and shaft 50 is maintained by coupling sleeve 49 which may, as indicated, be provided with a key 53 received by grooves in shaft 48 and sleeve 49.

Preferably the roll l0 comprises a platen disk 54, of fibre or other suitable material, clamped, as by bolts 55 and ring 56, against the flanged member 51 attached to shaft 48.

v The gear 58 attached to the end of shaft 48 meshes with gear 59 which, in turn, is in mesh with gear 60; both gears 59 and 60 are mounted upon stub shafts extending from the bracket 5|. The gear 50 is in mesh with gear 8| attached to shaft 62 of printing roll I Shaft 62 is supported by the arm 63 pivoted at 54 to bracket 5|. The stop 65, Fig. 4, limits the downward movement of the arm 63 about its pivot 84 and is adjustable to vary the spacing between the peripheries of the rolls |0,||.'

The pressure exerted upon the flap during its printing includes the pressure exerted by the spring 66 whose effect is preferably variable as by adjustment of threaded member 61 attached to the extension 68 of bracket 5| Y Y The ratio of the gearing between shafts 48 and 62 is such that the printing roll makes one revolution for movement of conveyor 2 corresponding with transport of one carton through the positionof carton 3C, Fig. 3 ;g the rolls Ill and I H rotate at difierent velocities and are of different diameters so'that "for successive revolutions thereof there is continuous shifting of the relation between the characters on roll and the opposed increment of area of the periphery of the platen roll I 0.

The preferred construction of printing roll I is shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5; theremovable type members 69 are held in position by the clamping plates 70 having a ridge for reception by a complementary recess in one face of the type and a curved edge for engaging the centering pin 1| extending axially of shaft 62.

The gaps between the type or groups of type may be filled in by the spacers 12. Th clamping plates i0 are held in position, as by the bolts 13, which pass throughv them threadably to engage selected holes 74 in the face of shaft 62. The position of the printing upon the flaps C4 of the cartons may be varied as desired by shifting the type block 59 to different angular positions with respect to shaft 62 and by correspondingly shifting the positions of the clamping plate 10.

For the particular example illustrated, two groups of characters are impressed upon each flap (Fig. 6); one group may consist of code letters or characters identifying the cartons by lot, and the other groups of characters may indicate the date of their filling. Smaller or greater number of groups of characters may be applied to suit the purposes of the particular manufacturer or distributor.

Preferably intermediate the adhesive-applying roll AB and the printing rolls l2; there is provided a support for the flaps or panels C4 as they move across the gap between the printing and adhesive-applying rolls; in the preferred arrangement shown, roller 15, carried by bracket 16 extending from slide 5|, engages the under surface of each panel C4 as it passes'fromthe printing rolls, thus to avoid drooping of the panel C4 andconsequent scraping of adhesive by its leading edge from roll AB.

In the modified form of flap-printing mechanism shown in Fig. 3A, the shaft 62 is carried by the arm 63A which' is pivotally mounted for movement about the axis of rotation of ear 50, and the adjustable stop, 65A, for limiting the approach of the faces of the printing and platen rolls is suspended from extension 68 of bracket5l.

Referring to Figs. l, '7 and 8, after the cartons are filled and closed, they are, in turn, released from conveyor 2, as it passes around the drum 3A, and pushed across the bridging plate "A (Fig. 7) onto belt 'I'I preferably moving at a speed substantially higher than that of conveyor belt 2.

The upper lift of belt 11 is supported by a series of idler rollers 18 extending transversely of the belt and supported by frame 18. The belt 80 for engaging the tops of the cartons is supported by a frame, not shown; its lower lift is pressed downwardly by a series of idler rollers 8| supported by a frame 82 which is preferably adjustable in vertical direction to obtain the desired pressure upon the ends of the cartons during their transport.

As thus far described, the conveyor 11, 83 would need to be of excessive length to afford sufficient time, when the machine is operated at its normal speed corresponding with output of about 120 or more cartons per minute, for at least sufiicient setting of the adhesive satisfactorily to hold together the end flaps of the cartons for delivery from the machine.

We accordingly prolong the time for atleast preliminary setting of the adhesive by increasing the number of cartons per unit length of their travel within the machine before their discharge therefrom.

Hence we prefer to operate the machine at high or normal speed, prolonging the time for setting of the adhesive and avoiding need for excessive length of conveyor belts 11, 80 by turning the cartons, after they leave conveyor 2, broadside with respect to each other, for their travel while in such relative position between the pressure-applying belts ll, 80.

Referring to Fig. 7, as each carton, in its continuous movement, travels beyond conveyor 2, it meets and is deflected by the guide 83, attached to frame 18, to move diagonally across belt I1 concurrently with its advance in the direction of movement of belt 11. The leading end of each carton thus partly turned from its original position engages the end of a stop l2, projecting into the space between belts I1 and 80, and then the carton, because of continued move ment of the belts in engagement with its ends, pivots about its region of engagement with end of the stop l2, generally as shown by the several cartons in dotted outlines, Fig. '1.

To facilitate this turning of the carton, one or more of the rolls 8| is omitted from the region adjacent stop I! and in place thereof is substituted a short roll 85 whose shaft or support 86 attached to frame 82 is preferably adjustable in slot 81 provided for that purpose. The roll 85 presses upon the carton engaged by stop l2 near the axis about which the carton pivots in turning to its desired broadside position; we have found roll 85 usually should be adjusted to exert upon the cartons a pressure somewhat greater than that exerted thereon by rolls 8|.

As the carton in pivoting about stop I! closely approaches its desired broadside position, it is subjected to the pressure of another short roll 88 supported from the other side of frame 82. Preferably roller 88 is adjustably mounted in generally the same manner as roller 85 to permit variation of its pressure; we have found the optimum pressure usually to be less than the pressure exerted by roller 85.

When each carton has swung sufficiently to slide along the end of stop l2, its pivotal movement ceases and the carton in its new position moves bodily with the conveyor belts I1, 80

broadside to the cartons which precede it.on the conveyor and at right angles to the cartons following it on conveyor 2. Consequently, the number of cartons per unit of length of the conveyor is materially greater than if the cartons were not so turned, and ample time for setting of the adhesive while the cartons are between belts I1, 80, is afforded without need either to run the machine at reduced output or to use belts TI, of greater or excessive length.

Turning the cartons broadside facilitates packing them; with the cartons broadside, a larger group can be removed at one time from a delivery table, at the discharge end of the conveyor I1, 80 by the packer who places the filled cartons in cases or boxes for shipment.

The transfer and turning of the cartons is effected without interruption of movement of conveyor 2 and without recourse to any reciprocating or other mechanism operating in timed relation to any of belts 2, 11 or 88. Each carton as and when it is released from the continuously moving belt 2, because of divergence ofits clamping blocks i occurring as belt 2 swings around drum 25, simply continuous to move forward in the same direction toward and between belts l1, l8 and during this continued advance the carton is turned through substantially a quarter revolution by its own movement into engagement with and with respect to stationary structure l2 (or I2A) To prevent accumulaion of packages behind stop l2 in event one of them, for some reason, fails to clear it, it is desirable to interrupt the operation of conveyor 2 and all parts of the machine operating in timed relation thereto. A suitable arrangement, shown in Fig. 8, comprises a resilient stop IIA which yields when the belts I1, 80 press more than one carton at a time against it, to effect operation of a control switch which directly or through a suitable relay arrangement interrupts further operation of the machine or warns of the need so to do.

The stop IZA is biased by spring 9|, against abutment 92, to its normal position for which the switch-operating member 93, movable with stop IZA, is away from switch 90. If a carton fails to turn and clear the stop "A, the next carton from conveyor 2 engages the captive carton and so adds to the force tending to move stop IZA in opposition to its biasing spring 9|. When the stop I2A yields because of the abnormal force applied, member 93 effects operation of switch 90 to stop the motor which drives the conveyor and means for receiving cartons in succession from said, transporting means and moving them in a row during application of pressure to the ends of the cartons while the adhesive on their flaps is setting, and means beyond said conveyor means and effective during continued operation thereof to tum the cartons broadside to each other for movement by said second means.

2. In a system for closing cartons having sides of different widths, conveyor means operative continuously to move the cartons in a row with the narrow sides of adjacent cartons facing each other and with flaps of at least one end of each carton attached to each other by unset adhesive, a pair of endless belts for receiving cartons from said transporting means andapplying pressure to the ends of the cartons while the adhesive is setting, and means beyond said conveyor means and effective during continued operation thereof to turn the cartons broadside to each other for movement by said belts.

3. Means for applying pressure to the ends of cartons having flaps attached to each other by unset adhesive comprising belts spaced to receive the cartons between them and movable to transport the cartons, stop structure disposed between said belts, and means for guiding the cartons for engagement of the leadin ends thereof with said stop structure thereupon co-operative with the belts to effect turning of the cartons during their movement by said belts.

4. Means for applying pressure to the ends of cartons having flaps attached to each other by unset adhesive comprising belts spaced to receive the cartons between them and movable to transport the cartons during setting of the adhesive, stop structure disposed between said belts, means for guiding the cartons for engagement of the I leading ends thereof with said stop structure, and

supplemental pressure-applying means effective upon each carton when engaged by said stop structure to cooperate therewith and said belts to turn the carton through a substantial angle.

5. In a system for closing cartons, conveyor means for effecting continuous movement of cartons each having end flaps attached to one another by unset adhesive, a pair of continuously moving belts for receiving the cartons from said conveyor means, for effecting continuation of their movement, and for applying pressure to their end flaps during setting of the adhesive,

and stationary structure, engaged by the moving cartons in succession, co-operative with said belts to turn each of the cartons into position, with respect to the preceding carton, substantially angularly displaced from its relative position during movement by said conveyor means.

6. In a system for closing cartons, having sides of unequal widths, conveyor means for effecting continuous movement of the cartons, while end flaps thereof are, attached to one another by unset adhesive, with the narrow sides of adjacent cartons facing each other, a pair of continuously moving belts for receiving the cartons from said conveyor means to effect continuation of their movement and to apply pressure to their end flaps during setting of the adhesive, and stationary structure, engaged by themoving cartons in succession, co-operative with said belts to turn each of the cartons, during continued motion thereof, broadside to the preceding carton for movement by said belts.

7. In a system for closing cartons, an endless conveyor for moving cartons each having end flaps attached to one another by unset adhesive, means including a belt in alignment with said conveyor for eflecting further movement of the cartons in the same direction and for applying pressure to their end flaps during setting of the adhesive, and stationary structure adjacent the path of movement of the cartons and cooperative with said belt to turn the cartons in succession from position had during'movement by said endless conveyor to position desired during aforesaid application of pressure to their ends.

8. Means for pressing the opposite ends of closed cartons during setting of adhesive between end-forming flaps thereof including a belt engaging lower ends of the cartons, and stationary structure adjacent said belt'and co-operating therewith when engaged by a moving carton to turn the carton to a different angular position.

9. Upper and lower beltsfor pressing the closed ends of cartons during setting of adhesive between end forming flaps thereof, the receiving end of the lower belt extending in advance of the receiving end of the 'upper belt, a guide adjacent the receiving end of said lower belt for ensuring entry of the cartons between the belts each at a predetermined angle with respect to direction of movement of the belts, and stationary structure between the belts engaged by the moving cartons in succession and co-operative with the belts to turn each of the cartons to another and substantially different angle.

10. A system comprising means for moving cartons in a row, and means co-operative with said first means for turning-the cartons comprising stop structure adjacent the path of said cartons to engage them in succession during their advance by said first means, and means for deflecting the cartons of the row for en: gagement of the leading side of each of them with said stop structure at an angle to the direction of advance of the cartons by said first means. 1

11. Means for applying pressure to the ends of cartons having flaps attached to each other by unset adhesive, comprising movable belts spaced to engage opposite ends of each of the cartons, means for feeding cartons between the belts, means co-operative with said belts to turn the cartons comprising stop structure disposed between the belts to engage the cartons in succession during their advance by said belts, and means responsive to failure of cartons to turn and clear said stop structure for interrupting operation of said feeding means. i

12. A method of closing cartons which comprises moving them with their narrower sides presented respectively to like sides of the preceding and following cartons and performing, during uninterrupted movement of each of'the cartons, all of the steps of applying adhesive to flaps thereof, folding the flaps into adhesive attachment with one another to close the ends of the carton, applying pressure to the ends of the carton, and turning the carton broadside to the preceding carton to prolong the time of aforesaid application of pressure per unit length of travel.

1 GEORGE B. FIRST.

HANS GROTEWOLD. 

